HuffPost Review: Wanda Sykes's 'I'ma Be Me' (VIDEO)

When Wanda Sykes is talking, people listen. Maybe that's because her pointed tone, volume, and no-bullshit attitude make her impossible to ignore. Of course, when it comes to admonishment comedy, Sykes without a doubt ranks among the best. One can only hope that God has a sense of humor and appoints her "Judge Judy" of Judgment Day, allowing her to review the cases of Simon Cowell, George W. Bush, and all those in need of a good punking. Though the comic's sometimes loud, in-your-face persona can be irritating in large doses, at her core is a formidable talent and a nose for irony that is quietly making her famous.

In the midst of a recession, many are looking for reasons to laugh and few are opposed to placing a little blame on those who might be responsible for the current socioeconomic state of the union. Thus, for Sykes, who never backs down from controversial issues, idiocy, or racial commentary, there should be fodder aplenty. Truly, for someone who loves to drop verbal bombs, there hasn't been a better time - the comedian-writer-actress boasts a recent, public exit from the closet and incipient interracial motherhood in her arsenal.

In her second HBO special, "I'ma Be Me," which premieres tonight at 10 p.m. EST, Sykes shows that her swagger hasn't been slowed by maturity or motherhood. She still knows how to dish it out, but unfortunately, for those who are familiar with her work, the special is a bit anticlimactic. Granted, most of her material is topical, as she spends the first third focusing on issues related to the First Family, sprinkling in bits on Somali pirates, Michael Jackson, and the metric system. But too much of it treads on familiar ground--both for her and comics in general.

Sykes has been an under-the-radar success on the comedy scene for years, including her work as part of the Emmy-winning writing team on Chris Rock's eponymous show in the 90's. Since then, she's found recurring roles on "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Crank Yankers" and offered comedic support in films like "Pootie Tang" and "Evan Almighty."

Most recently, Sykes was chosen as Head Roaster at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner. Her performance was, as per usual, hard hitting and hilarious. Her set even drew criticism from the Right, (so you know it was good) as a result of wishing kidney failure on Rush Limbaugh. She also took a shot at Sarah Palin, saying, "I know Governor Palin. . . . She's not here tonight. She pulled out at the last minute. Somebody should tell her that's not really how you practice abstinence."

In December, she will debut "The Wanda Sykes Show" on Fox, where she will be the first woman (and first gay African-American woman) to have her own late-night show. However, much of her success, I would say, is a result of her stand up work, not her work in film or TV. She belongs on stage, where she is not beholden to - or restricted by - network standards.

That being said, while her impression of Michelle Obama having a metal rod implanted in her neck to prevent her from juking and jiving while getting "sassy" at Barack is hilarious, and there are quite a few bright spots in her second HBO special (particularly in her impressions), I couldn't shake the feeling that I was watching a good deal of recycled material, including jokes from the Correspondents Dinner.


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It is also difficult to avoid seeing her as the female Chris Rock, especially considering a few startling similarities in their routines. To be fair, Sykes admits that her time at the "Chris Rock Show" was a big inspiration for her, but the point remains.

In the latter half of her 90-minute set, Sykes veers back into more conventional stand-up terrain, playing on parenthood, aging, bikini waxes, relationship issues, and health care. She is noticeably killing the crowd throughout, and it's hard to ignore the serious laughter echoing through the Warner Theatre in D.C. Her clever delivery and confident energy work in her favor, but "black people drive like this" and "white people drive like that" comedy only goes so far and her routine tends to retreat into this over-played territory. Pointing out true differences, racial and otherwise, is expected of comedians -- but great comics go beyond this, and I'm not sure Sykes gets there in her new special.

Though the new mom is open and unabashed in drawing upon (and making dirty jokes about) her blackness, her homosexuality, and her interracial marriage for her material (there are frequent cathartic bombs and laughs), again, much of it seems too easy. But fear not, there are some gems, especially when Sykes details her experience performing on a week-long gay cruise.

Comments

[RJHEART]

On occasion, I have a mellow moment. Ironically enough, the most recent one came while watching Wanda Sykes new stand-up act, "Ima Be Me". Wanda has always caught my attention as an incredibly talented female comedienne. I was listening to her performance, and then I became very aware of what I was witnessing. I was sitting in my middle-class, suburban home watching an African American lesbian perform to a sold out crowd. Her material consisted of her personal life, relationships, politics and aging. She was brilliant.

This is an incredible time that we are lucky enough to be a part of. There will always be barriers to be torn down in our society. As long as people rule the world, it will be riddled with hate, intolerance, and predjudice. However, in my short thirty five years of life, I have seen walls come down at a rate that, from what I can see, is unprecedented. Wanda Sykes symbolizes the rise of racial minorities, women, and homosexuals. Her success is ALL of our success. Attitudes are changing, and people are tired of hearing "it is ok for you to be whatever, as long as i don't have to see it." Well, folks, not only are you seeing it, but you are paying your hard earned money to see it. Now, THAT is change, real change.

[Mnoriega777]

She is seriously funny!!! I loved her show!

[PhineasGage730]

not funny...

[Simone Hill]

You sound cranky. You look like you need a stiff cocktail Mr Doom and Gloom.

[Shelz]

This show was quite as funny as her previous shows. I was crying. How could anyone not appreciate the brilliance of this woman?

[carl99e]

You can pull it apart any way you want. But put it all together and you have a very large audience laughing themselves right out of their seats. She made my day.

[Lhommecouture]

I want this on iTunes!

[BlueMrsKitty]

White people are watching you!

[Murph1964]

I laughed so much I watched again the next day so I could laugh again!

As a 45 year old woman who just bought her first pair of Spanx (but has not had the wherewithal to wear them, lol), I LOVED the bit about "Esther". " I wanna be on TV too" had me... uh.. rolling.

[Gladys1963]

The Esther bit--I was dyin'!

But I still can't bring myself to wear Spanx--they're soooo hard to put on. I'm just glad longer, fuller shirts came back in style.

[KevinMast]

I love Wanda.

[carl99e]

So glad to see all these positive comments. I hoped that this brilliant work would not go unnoticed. She should get an award for this performance. She killed!

[Carol Snow]

Those of you who have HBO, please watch this. Wanda was great. My kids and l laughed so hard. The entire routine was entertaining. Watch it, she goes further and talks about Michelle throwing his clothes out in the front lawn LOL ( priceless!)

This particular clip regarding expectations of Michelle is often talked about by many people, Specifically because this is exactly how they expected Michelle to be. That's ignorant thinking. Remember the New York Post's cover depiction of her as this militant Black woman with gun and fro. Even Blacks from Martha's Vineyard called Michelle "Ghetto"

I love Michelle Obama because she is just Michelle Obama and does what she wants and need to for herself. She is a great example for women.

[Sandy972]

Even if some of it was recycled, I have not laughed that hard since the 1983 Richard Pryor special. She was fantastic and like Chris Rock, she not afraid to say things about all races and types and prabably what so many of us are thinking but are not as witty as she is. Great show Wanda. I have recommended it to everyone I know. Don't miss it.

[1sparrow]

wanda is a national treasure. when she joked about teaching her kids, " if a limo rolls up and has dick cheney in it and he asks you to get inside-- run to a strangers car and get in." i still laugh in the middle of night about that joke.

[RJII]

priceless.

[carolsstudio]

I thought her routine had its moments but I found myself scratching my head at times and wondering if it was self loathing or an underlying disdain for black people that feeds her perspective.

Her confessed love and pride in her new white kids and her reasons for not choosing a black donor to give her mixed race children left me bewildered. She seemed lost, someone who doesn't like her own black reflection in the mirror.

[betolerant]

I got every bit of her bit and it was very, very funny. Self loathing, disdain as interpreted by whom and from what perspective? It's comedy....sheesh!

[rsprog]

Really....­.......Syk­es is RIGHT ON, with her perspective...The set was tight, and the insights were right on target. No self loathing there, just a strong confident woman.

[FrankN]

I've been a standup comedy fan since the early 1980's and I was very impressed with Wanda's performance. 90 minutes of solid humor, and it was a lot fresher than most big name comedians. By "fresh" I mean insightful and the opposite of predictable.

[atienne]

I have to say that I'm going through some personal hurdles...divorce, possible bankruptcy, illness...and I STILL managed to laugh my arse off at "I'm a be Me"!! Wanda did great and I think it was much more than just black vs. white. Her sketch about 'Esther' and 'Broke dick' were too much! I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more. I agree that her tone, delivery and even her appearance make her stand-up fresh and enjoyable.

I wasn't disappointed but wish she'd be on HBO rather than Fox!